About 20 activists of the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam (TPDK) were arrested today, when they attempted to picket in front of the Kerala Forest Department office in Pollachi, following reports of lathi-charge on PWD official and labourers belonging to Tamil Nadu.

According to the Rural Police, 12 PWD officials, who had gone last Friday to inspect a dam in Parambikulam in Kerala, were asked to wait for nearly three hours by the Forest Department officials of Kerala. The PWD officials returned at 9 PM, without being allowed to inspect the dam, police said.

The forest department officials also reportedly prevented a van from a school meant for tribal community of both the states, but run by Tamil Nadu, from picking up the students. The incident drew protest from parents and labourers working at Parambikulam project.

A PWD officer and nearly 50 labourers were denied entry into the area this morning, and, when protested, the officials, led by the District Forest Officer, reportedly resorted to lathi-charge, resulting in head injuries to four women.

Protesting against the incident, TPDK activists, led by the district secretary, R Manoharan, squatted in front of a Kerala Government bus in Pollachi and also attempted to picket the Kerala Forest department office there.

All of them were taken into custody.